Carbohydrate Gel

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally relates to the field of nutrition, in particular performance nutrition. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel carbohydrate gel comprising glucose and fructose in a ratio in the range of 3:1 to 1:1. The carbohydrate gel of the present invention can be used to treat or prevent problems with the gastrointestinal tract while allowing for an enhanced blood sugar maintenance and/or an increased exogenous carbohydrate oxidation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application claiming the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 12/920,177, filed Aug. 30, 2010; which is a national stage application of PCT/EP2009/051831, filed Feb. 17, 2009; which claims priority to EP 08152214.6, filed Mar. 3, 2008; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention generally relates to the field of nutrition, in particular, performance nutrition. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel carbohydrate gel.

It is well established that carbohydrate ingestion during exercise improves endurance performance during prolonged (>2 h) exercise, but also during shorter duration exercise (Coyle E F, J Sports Sci 22: 39-55, 2004; Gisolfi C V. Med Sci Sports Exerc 24: 679-687, 1992, Jeukendrup A E and Jentjens R. Sports Med 29: 407-424, 2000).

Endurance exercise, and in particular running, has been associated with gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances which can ultimately affect performance (for reviews see: (Brouns F, et al., Int J Sports Med 8: 175-189, 1987, Gisolfi C V. News Physiol Sci 15: 114-119, 2000, Peters H P, et. Al., Gut 48: 435-439, 2001). In fact, a 30 to 50% prevalence of exercise-related adverse GI symptoms has been reported among endurance athletes.

A variety of symptoms may occur during exercise, which may be attributed to disorders of the upper (esophagus and stomach) or lower (small bowel and colon) GI tract. Upper GI symptoms include reflux, nausea, bloating, and upper abdominal cramping. Lower GI complaints comprise lower abdominal cramping, the urge to defecate, increased frequency of bowel movements, flatulence and diarrhea. Many of these symptoms have been shown to be exacerbated with fluid intake, and specifically carbohydrate intake, which slows gastric emptying and can lead to significant GI disturbances.

In line with these negative GI issues related to a high carbohydrate intake, and given the fact that previous research has shown that a single source of carbohydrate can only be oxidized at a maximum of 1 g/min or 60 g/h (Jeukendrup A E and Jentjens R., Sports Med 29: 407-424, 2000.), in 2000 the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) current recommendations for carbohydrate intake during exercise is 30-60 g CHO/h (American College of Sports Medicine, American Dietetic Association, and Dietitians of Canada. Med Sci Sports Exerc 32: 2130-2145, 2000).

Recently, a series of studies has shown that a combination of multiple carbohydrate sources, in the form of a sports drink can result in a higher total carbohydrate delivery during exercise than a single carbohydrate source, which results in a 30 to 50% greater efficiency of use and exogenous carbohydrate oxidation (Jentjens R L and Jeukendrup A E, Br J Nutr 93: 485-492, 2005; Jeukendrup A E. Nutrition 20: 669-677, 2004; Jeukendrup A E and Jentjens R., Sports Med 29: 407-424, 2000; Jeukendrup A E, et al., J Appl Physiol, 2005). When subjects consumed a combination of glucose and fructose this resulted in significantly greater endurance performance compared to an isocaloric amount of glucose alone (Currell K and Jeukendrup A E. Med Sci Sports Exerc 40: 275-281, 2008). In this study subjects were able to complete a 1-hour time trial, after 2 hours of moderate intensity cycling, 8% faster when consuming a combination of glucose and fructose, compared to glucose alone.

This effect was, however, only observed when the carbohydrates were consumed in large amounts and in the form of a sports drink. In order to ingest the required amounts of carbohydrates it was necessary to consume large amounts of liquids.

These controlled laboratory findings are in contrast to real-life competition, during which athletes tend to drink smaller amounts of fluid, and ingest only small amounts of carbohydrate for fear of GI upset. No studies on the tolerance of multiple carbohydrate sources in real-life situations have been conducted so far.

Further, during exercise the ingestion of large amounts of liquids and carbohydrates causes an increase in osmolarity, which causes a decrease in gastric (stomach) emptying, and thus, a decrease in fluid delivery. This decreased gastric emptying during exercise is not wanted, since this causes bloating and an uncomfortable feeling of too much liquid sloshing in the stomach.

Additionally, consuming fructose is known to be especially distressful to GI problems with athletes (Ledochowski M, et al., Scand J Gastroenterol 36: 367-371, 2001; Mitsui T, et al., J Sports Med Phys Fitness 41: 121-123, 2001.). In short, the prevalence of GI disturbances is high among endurance athletes and seems to be related to CHO intake during exercise, in particular when consuming fructose alone. Consequently, based on these findings and in view of problems with the GI tract of athletes, the consumption of fructose cannot be recommended.

Based on this prior art, it was the object of the present invention to provide the art with a formulation that can provide athletes very efficiently with carbohydrates and an increased rate of exogenous carbohydrate oxidation during exercise, while at the same time minimizing the risk of developing problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

The present inventors were surprised to find that they could achieve this objective by a carbohydrate gel in accordance with claim 1 and by a use in accordance with claim 12.

While the subject matter of the present invention is primarily intended for athletes, it is clear, that the carbohydrate gel of the present invention can be used by anybody in need of carbohydrate supply. For example, the gel of the present invention can be very well used as transportable food for people, who do not wish to carry too heavy provisions, for example during long term trips. The gel of the present invention may equally well be used by people to provide the body with carbohydrates for example before or during an examination in school or at university.

The present inventors have investigated the gastric tolerance of a carbohydrate gel delivering a mixture of glucose and fructose at relatively high rates during a real life situation of either running or cycling outdoors.

It was found that an intake of even 90 grams of carbohydrate per hour in the form of a carbohydrate gel, as well as 30-60 g CHO/h as recommended by the AGSM, is well tolerable for the GI-tract if ingested as carbohydrate mixture comprising glucose and fructose in a ratio in the range of 3:1 to 1:1, preferably 2:1 in the form of a gel. The gel may also comprise a carbohydrate mixture with a glucose-fructose ratio in the range of 3:1-2.3:1 and/or 1.7:1 to 1:1.

It was surprisingly found that the ingestion of 90 grams/h of the above carbohydrate mixture will allow keeping the distress of the GI-tract of athletes minimal, and at about a rate of—15% of subjects. Furthermore, it was found that the minimal GI distress was not increased as compared with an intake of 60 grams of a carbohydrate mixture comprising glucose and fructose in a ratio in the range of 3:1 to 1:1, preferably 2:1 per hour.

Consequently, one embodiment of the present invention is a carbohydrate gel comprising a carbohydrate fraction comprising glucose and fructose in a ratio in the range of 3:1 to 1:1.

A carbohydrate gel is a food product in gel form, which comprises at least one carbohydrate source and preferably a multiple carbohydrate source such as the combination of glucose and fructose, or maltodextrin and fructose.

The shape of the carbohydrate gel is not essential.

For the purpose of the present invention, a gel is a product that is substantially solid at ambient temperature (i.e. in the approx. range between 10 and 40° C.). Gelled products are characterized by having a relatively soft and chewy texture. Typical gelled products include gelatine based products as well as products based on certain types of carrageenan, alginate, starches, agarose, 6-glucan, gellan gum, pectin or cellulose compounds. In general, a gel can be described as a colloid in which the disperse phase has combined with the dispersion medium to produce a semisolid material, e.g., a jelly. A system is gel-like at a given frequency as soon as G′ (storage modulus which concerns the solid part of the material) is higher than G″ (loss modulus which concerns the liquid-like response on the material).

The gel may also be based on a gel matrix comprising sheared cell wall material from ripe and soft botanical fruits. Fruits are considered ripe after a burst of ethylene production—an important plant hormone involved in ripening—took place. Often times, ripe fruits can be easily discriminated from unripe fruits by the occurrence of a change in color, in texture and or in taste. For example, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention a fruit is to be considered ripe if its sugar content compared to its level before the ethylene burst is increased by at least 20%. Fruits are considered soft if their firmness by a pressure measurement is below 15 N/g, preferably below 10 N/g, most preferred about 2-6 N/g. Such a corresponding gel based on cell wall material of fruits is disclosed in the applicants co-pending application EP 07109854.5 which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

In the sports industry today it is desirable to deliver a feeling of freshness and hydration during endurance sports to the athlete, however this is problematic as ingesting water gives an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach: too much liquid sloshing in the stomach. The carbohydrate gel of the present invention achieves this object by providing hydration while avoiding an uncomfortable feeling in the stomach.

Gels are also generally very well-liked by athletes, since they are easy to carry, easy to consume and—due to their moistness—easy to swallow, even during exercises.

The multiple carbohydrate source contains fructose and glucose in a digestible form. Glucose and/or fructose may be provided in the form of fructogenic and/or glucogenic carbohydrates. Fructogenic carbohydrate means a carbohydrate which upon theoretical total hydrolysis releases at least one fructose molecule. Glucogenic carbohydrate means a carbohydrate which upon theoretical total hydrolysis releases at least one glucose molecule. Consequently, a carbohydrate can be both glucogenic and fructogenic (e.g. saccharose).

Consequently, the carbohydrates may comprise or consist of monosaccharides, such as glucose or fructose as basic carbohydrate units. The monosaccharides may represent a part of disaccharides, such as sucrose, lactose, maltose or cellobiose. The monosaccharides such as glucose or fructose may also represent a part of oligosaccharides or polysaccharides. Preferred carbohydrate sources for the present invention are maltodextrins and/or dextrose.

The carbohydrate source may additionally comprise indigestible carbohydrates, in particular, fibers.

The carbohydrate fraction of the gel may comprise at least 30% glucose and fructose, preferably at least 50% glucose and fructose more preferably at least 85% glucose and fructose. In one embodiment of the present invention, the carbohydrate fraction of the gel provides at least 50%, preferably at least 70% of the energy of the gel.

The carbohydrate gel of the present invention comprises a carbohydrate fraction and, optionally, a protein fraction and/or a fat fraction.

The presence of proteins and/or fats in the carbohydrate gel of the present invention has the advantage that this way it is possible to provide the athlete with a more complete nutrition during performance. Furthermore, the presence of proteins allows producing a carbohydrate gel with a modified taste.

As a protein source, any suitable dietary protein may be used, for example animal proteins (such as milk proteins, meat proteins and egg proteins); vegetable proteins (such as soy protein, wheat protein, rice protein, and pea protein); mixtures of free amino acids; or combinations thereof. Milk proteins, such as casein and whey, and soy proteins are particularly preferred.

The proteins may be intact or hydrolysed or a mixture of intact and hydrolysed proteins. It may be desirable to supply partially hydrolysed proteins (degree of hydrolysis between 2 and 20%), for example, for athletes believed to be at risk of developing cows' milk allergy. Additionally, in general, at least partially hydrolysed proteins are easier and faster to metabolize by the body. This is in particularly true for amino acids. Consequently, it is further preferred if the carbohydrate gel of the present invention contains single amino acids, most preferred are essential amino acids. In one embodiment the carbohydrate gel of the present invention contains amino acids such as L-leucine, L-valine and/or L-isoleucine.

If the composition includes a fat source, the fat source has the advantage that, for example, an improved mouth feel can be achieved. Any fat source is suitable. For example, animal or plant fats may be used. To increase the nutritional value, n3-unsaturated and n6-unsaturated fatty acids may be comprised by the fat source. The fat source may also contain long chain fatty acids and/or medium chain fatty acids. For example, milk fat, canola oil, corn oil and/or high-oleic acid sunflower oil may be used.

Preferably, the gel contains less than 30 g protein per 100 g gel and/or less than 1 g fat per 100 g gel.

The carbohydrate gel may also contain minerals and micronutrients such as trace elements and vitamins in accordance with the recommendations of Government bodies such as the USRDA.

The carbohydrate gel of the present invention may contain vitamins, such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, Niacin, Vitamin B6, folic acid, biotin, panthothenic acid, Vitamin B2 and/or Vitamin B6, preferably in amounts that correspond to at least 10% of the recommended daily dose.

The presence of vitamins may contribute to the effectiveness of the gel and may further protect the athlete. For example, the presence of Vitamin C will help to protect against catching a common cold.

The gel may also comprise electrolytes and/or minerals, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium or zinc.

These compounds may contribute to the taste of the gel, and may be helpful to replenish the body with compounds that the person is constantly loosing due to the generation of sweat during exercise. They may also help to prevent the generation of post-exercise muscle soreness.

The carbohydrate gel of the present invention may further contain one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of aroma compounds, fiber, caffeine, conservatives, guarana, acidifying agents, binding agents, gel building material, water, fruit juice, fruits, antioxidants, coloring agents.

These agents may improve the carbohydrate gel of the present invention with respect to many properties, such as taste, consistency, color, and stability during storage, digestibility, and many more that are known to those of skill in the art.

The energy density of the gel is not critical for its effectiveness. However, a high energy density has the advantage that less food needs to be ingested to replenish carbohydrates as fuel to the body. Consequently, high energy densities are preferred for the gel of the present invention.

One embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the carbohydrate gel has an energy density of 600-1500 kJ/100 g, preferably 800-1300 kJ/100 g, most preferred 850-1100 kJ/100 g.

To be easily consumable—for example during a competition or in between competitions—the serving size of the gel of the present invention is preferably relatively small. Preferably, the carbohydrate gel has a serving size of 10-100 g, preferably 15-75 g, most preferred 20-50 g.

Alternatively, the gel of the present invention may also be provided as bite size gel bits or drops with a serving size between 3 and 15 g, preferably between 5 and 10 g. This way, the carbohydrate uptake can precisely be adjusted to the needs of an athlete. Typically, a carbohydrate gel in accordance with the present invention may contain liquids, in particular water, in an amount of 20-60 g/100 g gel. Larger water amounts are possible as well. This would have the advantage that the resulting gel would be moister and consequently easier to swallow. However, at the same time, more gel would have to be consumed to ingest a certain amount of calories from carbohydrates. Similarly, also less water per 100 g gel is possible as well. Gels with a very low water content would be more difficult to swallow but—at the same time—less gel would have to be eaten to ingest a certain amount of calories from carbohydrates.

The present inventors have found that a water content of 20-60 g/100 g gel represents a very good compromise.

A typical carbohydrate gel of the present invention may comprise the following percentages of daily values (DV) based on a 2000 calorie diet: Between 0 and 1% total fat, between 5 and 9% sodium, between 0.5 and 1.5% potassium, between 12 and 16% carbohydrates, including between 5 and 10% glucose and fructose, and between 10 and 14% proteins.

Additionally, it may comprise between 80 and 120% DV vitamin C, between 20 and 30% DV calcium, between 25 and 35% DV iron, between 80 and 120% DV vitamin E, between 80 and 120% DV thiamin, between 80 and 120% DV riboflavin, between 80 and 120% DV niacin, between 80 and 120% DV vitamin B6, between 80 and 120% DV folate, between 80 and 120% DV vitamin B12, between 80 and 120% DV biotin, between 80 and 120% DV pantothenic acid, between 20 and 30% DV phosphorus, between 20 and 30% DV magnesium, between 25 and 35% DV zinc, between 25 and 35% copper, and between 15 and 25% DV chromium.

The carbohydrate gel of the present invention may be used, for example, as a food product, as a food additive or as a nutraceutical.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carbohydrate gel of the present invention is used for the preparation of a food product or as a food product to provide an increased performance, in particular endurance performance.

The formulation of this carbohydrate gel of the present invention may also be used to provide a carbohydrate delivery without any increased gastrointestinal disorders and/or to treat or prevent problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

The combination of glucose and fructose in the carbohydrate gel of the present invention allows the high carbohydrate content of the gel of the present invention to be well tolerated by the body, so that problems of the gastrointestinal tract that one would normally expect after a high level of carbohydrate intake during exercise are at least partially avoided. Also the gastrointestinal tolerance for carbohydrates, in particular for the glucose/fructose mixture of the present invention, will be increased.

The problems with the gastrointestinal tract as mentioned above are not particularly limited but are preferably selected from the group consisting of upper abdominal problems such as reflux, heartburn, bloating, upper abdominal cramps, vomiting, nausea; lower abdominal problems such as intestinal cramps, flatulence, urge to defecate, left abdominal pain, right abdominal pain, loose stool, diarrhea; or systemic problems such as dizziness, headache, muscle cramp or urge to urinate.

For exercise, in general, and competitive exercise, in particular, it is essential that the body has blood sugar available for the muscles to burn at all times. In particular, at the end of a race it must be avoided, or the athlete will run out of energy. The subject matter of the present invention is well suited to prevent this. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the carbohydrate gel of the present invention can be used to allow for an enhanced blood sugar maintenance late in exercise.

The carbohydrate gel of the present invention cannot only secure a long lasting blood sugar maintenance, it can also be used to provide an increased exogenous carbohydrate oxidation. Increasing exogenous carbohydrate oxidation was found to be, in particular, increased if the carbohydrate uptake of a person is greater than 1 g/min, preferably greater than 1.1 g/min, even more preferred greater than 1.2 g/min.

Consequently, surprisingly, optimal exogenous carbohydrate oxidation is reached at a carbohydrate ingestion above the theoretical threshold once thought for carbohydrate oxidation (Jeukendrup A E and Jentjens R., Sports Med 29: 407-424, 2000).

This way, the energy delivery from carbohydrates during physical exercise can be maximized.

Further, the carbohydrate gel of the present invention may be used to provide faster energy delivery, in particular to working muscles, and/or to provide more sustained energy to muscles. Both effects will contribute to an optimal performance of an athlete.

Finally, the carbohydrate gel of the present invention may also be used to treat or prevent symptoms of fatigue and/or to improve cycling cadence, for example measured in revolutions per minute and/or to decrease ratings of perceived exertion (RPE).

The present inventors found that the above listed uses can be successfully carried out with any amounts of carbohydrates comprising glucose and fructose in a ratio of 3:1 to 1:1 to be ingested.

However, best results were obtained, when the carbohydrate gel was used in an amount that corresponds to an ingestion of at least 30 g CHO/h, preferably at least 50 g CHO/h, more preferably at least 65 g CHO/h and most preferably between 80 g CHO/h and 110 g CHO/h.

The inventors have found that the higher the amount of carbohydrates ingested per hour is, the more the exogenous carbohydrate oxidation can be increased. A maximum of exogenous carbohydrate oxidation appears to be reached when the gel of the present invention is consumed so that 100 g-150 g carbohydrates are consumed per hour, preferably 110 g-130 g carbohydrates per hour and most preferred 115 g-125 g carbohydrates per hour.

It is clear to those skilled in the art that they can freely combine all features of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the subject matter as disclosed.

Further features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the following Examples and Figures.

FIGS. 1-3 show the results of the study of Example 2.

FIG. 4 shows the results of the study of Example 4.

FIG. 5 shows the results of the study of Example 5.

EXAMPLE 1 Gel Preparation

Carbohydrate gels of the present invention can be prepared by any method known in the art.

For example, gels can be prepared by a method comprising the following three steps. Step one involves the mixing of the ingredients and adding all the ingredients to the cooker. The primary purpose of this step is to have a smooth and homogenous mass, which is partially achieved through good stirring so all ingredients are properly dissolved. Step two involves the heating of the mass to a temperature of 75° C. for at least 10 minutes. The primary purpose of step two, which is the heating process, is to have a microbiological control and to lower the viscosity of the product to facilitate the filling process. Step three is the filling process, which is the hot-filling of the gel into pouches, followed by the hot-sealing of the pouches.

A typical gel formulation may comprise:

A carbohydrate blend (maltodextrin, fructose and/or glucose), filtered water, electrolyte blend (sodium chloride, sodium citrate, potassium chloride), citric acid, natural flavors, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, L-leucin (170 mg/100 g), L-valin (170 mg/100 g), L-isoleucin (170 mg/100 g), Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

EXAMPLE 2

The inventors have investigated the GI tolerance of CHO gels delivering a mixture of glucose and fructose in a ratio of 2:1 at a moderate and a high dose during intense running.

In a randomized cross-over design, 26 endurance trained male and 8 female runners and triathletes (37±11 yrs; 73±9 kg; 1.76±0.07 m) completed a 16 km field-based run as fast as possible on two occasions. Once they consumed gels to provide CHO at an average rate of either 1.0 g/min (MOD) and once CHO was provided at an average rate of 1.4 g/min (HIGH) with ad libitum water intake every 3.2 km.

Runners completed a post-exercise questionnaire including 17 questions to assess GI comfort and tolerance on a scale from 1 to 10, from “no problem at all” to “the worst it has ever been”, respectively. The results are shown in FIGS. 1-3.

For both treatments, questions on GI problems were mostly scored at the low end of the scale (“no problem at all”, “very minor problems”). Mean scores ranged from 1.00±0.00 (diarrhea) to 2.12±1.90 (upper abdominal cramps). The 17 questions about symptoms were grouped into upper abdominal, lower abdominal and systemic problems. A Wilcoxon sign-rank test showed no significant treatment differences (HIGH-MOD) for upper abdominal problems (effect estimate, 0.16, se=0.08, p=0.26), for lower abdominal problems (effect estimate, 0.09, se=0.08, p=0.24) and for systemic problems (effect estimate, −0.02, se=0.14, p=0.54).

The average of the times for the first run of each participant is 1:12:08, the average of the second run was 1:12:58.

The average times of runners ingesting 3 gels is 1:13:05 whereas the time when participants ingest 4 gels is 1:13:06.

Comparing each runner for the first and the second trial, 21 ran faster at the second run, 13 ran faster at their first run. 19 runners where faster when ingesting 4 gels, versus 15 where faster when ingesting three gels.

In general, the average times seem not to differ very much between treatments. An indication for overall good tolerance of the given amount of gel.

Despite a high intake of CHO (glucose+fructose) in the form of gels, scores for GI problems were on average on the low end of the scale, indicating relatively good tolerance of a high CHO intake during a 16 km run.

EXAMPLE 3

The inventors have investigated the effect of a high intake rate of a glucose+fructose gel versus a glucose only gel on GI tolerance.

In a double-blind, randomized, cross-over design, 34 endurance trained male and 14 female runners and triathletes (35±10 yrs; 70±9 kg; 1.75±0.09 m) completed two 16 km field based runs as fast as possible on two occasions. They received either a glucose gel (GLU) or a glucose+fructose gel (GLU/FRC) to provide CHO at a rate of 1.4 g/min with ad libitum water intake every 3.2 km. Each runner completed a post-exercise questionnaire including 17 questions to assess GI tolerance on a scale from 1 to 10 (from “no problem at all” to “the worst it has ever been”).

47 runners finished both runs according to the protocol. One runner could not finish the second run because of gastrointestinal (gi) problems. She had to stop after 8 miles, but is included in the gastrointestinal results part.

Questions on complaints were predominantly scored at the low end of the scale (“no problem at all”, “very minor problems”) for both treatment groups. Mean scores reached from 1.00±0.0 (diarrhea and loose stool) to 2.27±1.78 (upper abdominal cramps). The 17 questions about symptoms were grouped into upper abdominal, lower abdominal and systemic problems.

GI Problems During the Run:

During both trials the reported discomfort was in most cases at the low end of the scale (table 1).

TABLE 1 Summary statistics on treatments by question blue gel (GLU/FRC) red gel (GLU)) Section Question n mean sd min max n mean sd min max Upper Reflux 47 1.51 1.14 1 5 47 2.04 1.59 1 6 abdominal Heartburn 47 1.36 1.15 1 6 46 1.33 0.84 1 5 problems Bloating 47 1.94 1.44 1 6 47 2.13 1.75 1 8 Upper 47 2.26 1.79 1 7 47 2.26 1.80 1 7 abdominal cramps vomiting 47 1.28 0.88 1 6 47 1.21 0.72 1 4 nausea 47 2.21 1.68 1 7 47 2.04 1.81 1 8 Lower intestinal 47 1.68 1.11 1 5 47 2.02 1.45 1 6 abdominal cramps problems flatulence 47 1.36 0.94 1 5 47 1.49 1.16 1 7 urge to 47 1.49 1.21 1 5 47 1.60 1.68 1 9 defecate left abdominal 47 2.15 1.89 1 8 47 2.11 1.67 1 7 pain right 47 1.94 1.76 1 9 47 1.87 1.64 1 7 abdominal pain loose stool 47 1.00 0.00 1 1 47 1.30 1.27 1 9 diarrhea 47 1.00 0.00 1 1 47 1.02 0.15 1 2 systemic dizziness 47 1.34 0.89 1 5 47 1.13 0.65 1 5 problems headache 47 1.15 0.62 1 4 47 1.13 0.54 1 4 muscle cramp 47 1.87 1.61 1 9 47 1.62 1.23 1 6 urge to urinate 46 1.80 1.29 1 5 47 1.57 1.33 1 7

When the different treatments are compared, 10 questions were scored slightly higher in the red group. For 6 questions, slightly higher scores were ticked in the blue group. One was equally scored. (see table 2)

The greatest difference in scores was detected for reflux (−0.46), intestinal cramps (−0.42) and loose stool (−0.38) showing more problems with the red gel.

Calculated means over upper abdominal problems were lower for the blue gel. The same was true for lower abdominal problems. Less systemic problems were shown with the red gel.

A Wilcoxon signed rank test was applied on the mean values of each participant for each of the three sections of symptoms (for raw data see Appendix). None of them showed statistical significance.

TABLE 2 Summary statistics of treatment differences (blue versus red gel) by question Wilcoxon blue-red gels Wilcoxon test over Section Question N Mean se p values Mean section Upper Reflux 48 −0.46 0.23 0.024 −0.10 0.76 abdominal Heartburn 47 0.04 0.19 0.959 problems Bloating 48 −0.23 0.25 0.495 Upper 48 −0.04 0.29 0.830 abdominal cramps vomiting 48 0.04 0.15 0.943 nausea 48 0.15 0.29 0.505 Lower intestinal 48 −0.42 0.20 0.041 −0.19 0.22 abdominal cramps problems flatulence 48 −0.17 0.16 0.385 urge to 48 −0.21 0.27 0.339 defecate left 48 −0.02 0.31 0.871 abdominal pain right 48 0.00 0.31 0.930 abdominal pain loose stool 48 −0.38 0.20 0.043 diarrhea 48 −0.13 0.11 0.180 systemic dizziness 48 0.15 0.14 0.277 0.14 0.15 problems headache 48 −0.04 0.13 0.915 muscle 48 0.25 0.20 0.316 cramp urge to 47 0.21 0.21 0.271 urinate

Looking at individuals, two people showed high mean values (>4) in the section of lower gi problems with the red gel. One participant noted high mean values for lower gi problems (>3) on both trials.

11 runners showed severe symptoms (>5) with the red gel, 6 runners showed severe symptoms with the blue gels and 3 runners had severe problems in both trials.

A Wilcoxon sign-rank test showed no significant treatment differences (GLU-GLU/FRC) for upper abdominal problems (effect estimate, −0.1, se=0.14, p=0.76), lower abdominal problems (effect estimate, −0.19, se=0.14, p=0.22) and systemic problems (effect estimate, 0.14, se=0.08, p=0.15). Mean run times (GLU trial: 1:14:25±7:17 h:min:sec; GLU/FRC trial: 1:14:41±7:10 h:min:sec) were not different between treatments.

Despite a high intake of CHO in the form of gels, scores for GI problems were on average at the low end of the scale, indicating relatively good tolerance of a high CHO intake during a 16 km run and there was no difference between GLU and GLU/FRC.

EXAMPLE 4

The exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates of a gel formulated with 2:1 glucose and fructose ratio was tested. A male cyclists rode in the lab for 3 hrs at ˜60% VO2 peak followed by 1 hr of running at a similar intensity, and consumed a gel every 15 min so that the CHO consumption was 1.77 g/min. Blood and breath samples were collected throughout the 4 hrs to measure exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates of the gel.

Results are shown in FIG. 4. The peak oxidation of the multi-carbohydrate sources (2:1 glucose:fructose) gel was ˜1.4 g/min, which is considerably higher than achieved with a single carbohydrate source (glucose alone at ˜0.8 g/min and fructose along at ˜0.4 g/min).

EXAMPLE 5

The exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates of a gel formulated with 2:1 glucose and fructose ratio was tested on 8 subjects. Further, the exogenous carbohydrate oxidation rates of a sports drink formulated with 2:1 glucose and fructose ratio was tested on 8 subjects. The test were performed as indicated in Example 4, except for this example the CHO consumption rate was 1.8 g/min.

The primary objective of this example is to measure the exogenous CHO oxidation rates (g/min) when CHO is consumed in gel form during cycling exercise, as compared to sports drink and water (using natural enrichment of ¹³C carbohydrate in each specific product). This was done by the following principle:

Carbohydrates typically consist of C¹² isotopes but some carbohydrate sources have a natural abundance of C¹³ isotopes. Due to this fact it is possible to determine the oxidation of exogenous carbohydrate in breath by using sources which are high in C¹³ and measuring the ratio of C¹³/C¹² in breath. Carbohydrate solutions ingested during the trial were prepared from food grade corn derived sources which have a high natural abundance of ¹³C.

The peak oxidation of the multi-carbohydrate sources (2:1 glucose:fructose) of the gel and of the sports drink were similar at was ˜1.45 g/min. FIG. 5 shows the result of Example 5.

Example 5 shows that gels according to the present invention work just as effectively in CHO oxidation rates as a sports drink. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A carbohydrate gel comprising: a carbohydrate fraction that comprises glucose and fructose in a weight ratio in the range of 3:1 to 1:1, wherein the carbohydrate fraction of the gel comprises at least 50% by weight glucose and fructose, and wherein the glucose is present in the carbohydrate gel in the form of at least one glucose monosaccharide, at least one glucose disaccharide, and/or maltodextrin, and wherein the fructose is present in the carbohydrate gel in the form of at least one fructose monosaccharide and/or at least one fructose disaccharide; and water at an amount in the range of 20% to 60% by weight of the carbohydrate gel; wherein the carbohydrate gel has an energy density in the range of 600 to 1500 kJ/100 g; and wherein the carbohydrate gel does not comprise protein and fat.
 2. The carbohydrate gel of claim 1, wherein the at least one glucose monosaccharide comprises dextrose, and the at least one glucose disaccharide comprises maltose and/or cellobiose.
 3. The carbohydrate gel of claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate fraction of the gel comprises at least 85% by weight glucose and fructose.
 4. The carbohydrate gel of claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate fraction of the gel comprises at least 70% of the energy of the carbohydrate gel.
 5. The carbohydrate gel of claim 1 having a serving size in the range of 10 g to 100 g.
 6. The carbohydrate gel of claim 5, wherein a serving of the carbohydrate gel is divided into multiple pieces of the carbohydrate gel, wherein each piece has a weight in the range of 3 g to 15 g.
 7. The carbohydrate gel of claim 1 further comprising one or more additional constituents selected from the group consisting of vitamins, electrolytes, minerals, aroma compounds, caffeine, ginseng, kola nut, conservatives, guarana, acidifying agents, binding agents, gel building material, water, fruit juice, fruit, antioxidants, coloring agents, and combinations thereof.
 8. The carbohydrate gel of claim 7, wherein the vitamins are selected from the group consisting of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, Niacin, Vitamin B6, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, and combinations thereof. 